Jacqueline B. Arnold, center, performs during the Queen jukebox musical "We Will Rock You" by 'Queen' and David Bowie at Fair Park Music Hall, Tuesday, March 4, 2014.

Brandon Wade - Special Contributor

The cast of 'We Will Rock You' by 'Queen' and David Bowie perform at Fair Park Music Hall, Tuesday, March 4, 2014.

Brandon Wade - Special Contributor

(Back to front) Ryan Knowles, Brian Justin Crum and Ruby Lewis perform during the Queen jukebox musical "We Will Rock You" by 'Queen' and David Bowie at Fair Park Music Hall, Tuesday, March 4, 2014.

Brandon Wade - Special Contributor

Members of the audience join in with the cast of 'We Will Rock You' by 'Queen' and David Bowie during a performance at Fair Park Music Hall, Tuesday, March 4, 2014.

Brandon Wade - Special Contributor

Jacqueline B. Arnold, in red, and P.J. Griffith, on the floor, perform during the Queen jukebox musical "We Will Rock You" by 'Queen' and David Bowie at Fair Park Music Hall, Tuesday, March 4, 2014.

Brandon Wade - Special Contributor

(L to R) Ryan Knowles, Brian Justin Crum and Ruby Lewis perform during the Queen jukebox musical "We Will Rock You" by 'Queen' and David Bowie at Fair Park Music Hall, Tuesday, March 4, 2014.

Brandon Wade - Special Contributor

Ruby Lewis and Brian Justin Crum perform during the Queen jukebox musical "We Will Rock You" by 'Queen' and David Bowie at Fair Park Music Hall, Tuesday, March 4, 2014.

Brandon Wade - Special Contributor

Jacqueline B. Arnold, center, performs during the Queen jukebox musical "We Will Rock You" by 'Queen' and David Bowie at Fair Park Music Hall, Tuesday, March 4, 2014.

Brandon Wade - Special Contributor

Brian Justin Crum performs during the Queen jukebox musical "We Will Rock You" by 'Queen' and David Bowie at Fair Park Music Hall, Tuesday, March 4, 2014.

Brandon Wade - Special Contributor

The late Freddie Mercury was a musical waiting to happen. With his petulant theatrics, campy costumes and operatic voice, the singer brought a major dose of Broadway drama to the macho world of 1970s hard rock.

Mercury’s outlandish-but-tender attitude runs deep through We Will Rock You, the jukebox musical comedy which finally made its Dallas debut Tuesday night at the Music Hall at Fair Park, eleven years after premiering in London. But it’s not just Mercury’s spirit -- or the bronze statue of him onstage -- that leaves a lasting impression. It’s the genius of Queen’s music as a whole.

From the rousing gospel of “Somebody to Love” to ear worms like “Another One Bites the Dust” to the dazzling Sturm und Drang of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Queen’s hits work perfectly in a mainstream musical in a way that Black Sabbath’s songs never will.

Created by British comedian and writer Ben Elton, We Will Rock You isn’t about Queen, per se. It’s the story of a future where creativity no longer exists and rock ‘n’ roll is banned – until rebels defy the law and start to rock out. If this all sounds vaguely familiar, it should. It’s the exact same concept Rush used nearly 40 years ago on its album 2112.

Elton has done a decent job of updating the premise as slapstick for the Internet Age. There are lots of witty rock and pop references (and perhaps too many Britney Spears jokes), as well as the requisite digs at Apple, Microsoft and the notion of living life online. To quote one character quoting “Bohemian Rhapsody”: “Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?”

Ruby Lewis stands out as the scruffy outcast Scaramouche with her glorious voice and perfect comedic timing. Brian Justin Crum brings tons of passion to his role as Galileo, the rebel without a clue as to why his brain makes him recite long-lost rock lyrics. And Ryan Knowles steals the spotlight time and again as Buddy, a lovable hippie goofball in the mode of Cheech and Chong.

Jacqueline B. Arnold plays Killer Queen, the authoritarian dictator with the show’s wildest costumes. She’s an icy ruler, but given her crazy clothes and hair, it would be more fun to see her go full gonzo ala Tina Turner’s Acid Queen in Tommy.

Queen guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor worked with Elton to bring We Will Rock You to the stage, and May has performed at many of its premieres. He didn’t make it on Tuesday night, but the 9-piece stage band did an excellent job of replicating his soaring guitar solos and nailing all the pomp, soul and especially the swagger of Queen’s music.

Somewhere, Freddie Mercury is triumphantly pumping his fist.

PLAN YOUR LIFE

Through March 16 at the Music Hall at Fair Park. Presented by Dallas Summer Musicals. Runs 2 hours and 40 minutes, including a 15 minute intermission. $15 to $85. www.ticketmaster.com or at 214-631-2787.